Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

SPIRIT OF THE PRESS.

Offices-and, taking the Ordnance, we find that se-
ven Do-Littles receive £10,000; one hundred and
seventy-seven Do-Somethings, L.52,000.
Nine
"heads" at the Admiralty, divide amongst them
L.14,150; twenty-seven
66 persons," L.9930.
But
enough of particular instances--we have put the
reader on the trails, and will leave him the amuse-
ment of running down the game. Wherever it is
possible to penetrate the cover-whenever he can
unearth the subjects-it will be found, that a con-
stant inequality exists in the rate of payment, and
that the noble inefficients possess themselves of the
lion's share.

It is now two years since the present Whig Ministry declared their conviction of the truth of this axiom, and declared their determination to abolish the "Taxes on Knowledge." Yet those taxes are still continued. The names of Brougham, Althorp, and others of the Ministry, are found at the head of the "Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge," yet all really needful knowledge is studiously kept from the people; and this mighty Association is occupied in ruining a few booksellers by a powerful competition in works of amusement, and in unavailing attempts to crush a little paper of penny politics, by which they are made as ridiAnother pervading principle is, to spend whatculous as the Anglesea and Stanley clique in Ire-ever can be got, whether by taxing or borrowing. land. The Whig Government either meant to reThe enormous amount of the Inefficient Expendimove the "Taxes on Knowledge," or they did not. ture-the bulk of the debt, the greater part of the If they did not, they are political knaves. If they dead-weight, is chiefly to be attributed to this rule. did, they are worse than imbecile not to have ac- of the annual amount of taxation, the funding sysWhen the people refused to submit to an increase complished it. They have no excuse. No quantity of public mischief would be so great as that of tem was resorted to; when business had been comdepriving the public of knowledge; nothing would plicated till complexity availed no longer, one man could still be superannuated to make room for another; when even an aristocratic Parliament compelled the reduction of the army and navy, it was possible to promote and place on half-pay to the end of the chapter: if an office was proved useless, the allowance for the "vested interest" which the Doabolition might be yielded, but there must be an Nothings had acquired in the people's purse. The managers of the public money have only had botoo far removed from common concerns, to comprewels of compassion for tax receivers; they were hend the distresses of tax-payers. Such have hitherto been the rules of public expenditure, which, in strictness, are resolvable into the simple one of spending the money of the many, for the benefit of the few. But we hope a brighter era is opening upon us; and we have been anxious to lend our humble assistance to hasten its advance.-Spec

be held a sacrifice which was needful to accom

plish the great and paramount object of public instruction. It has been alleged, that the revenue could not afford to lose the annual half-million which the "Taxes on Knowledge" produce. This is a shuffling excuse for a Government pretending to economy; but even if it were so, it was the duty of the Ministers to give up their salaries; to reduce or disband the army; to curtail the Royal Expenditure; to pawn the Crown Lands, or sell them; mortgage Windsor Castle and Buckingham Palace; and leave the Pension List in arrear, rather than keep the people in ignorance another day. The Whig Ministry have left the people in ignorance; they have carefully barred every avenue against their instruction; and they have, meanwhile, saddled on the country a greater expense than even the Tories did; they have displayed the

tator.

REFORM ADVANTAGEOUS TO THE ARISTOCRACY.

⚫ meanness of sordid avarice in their own persons; and their want of public morality has only been -matched by their utter want of capacity for public Among the various benefits which we fully expect business, and their cowardly truckling to acknow-will accrue to the nation at large from the passing Fledged public enemies; or, what is still worse, their of the Reform bill, we have by no means overlooked secret understanding with them, and treachery to those which the Aristocracy will derive from it.the people. Will the New Monthly say that such Hitherto, the possession of illicit power has rendermen are "honourable men," while such acts are by ed a large proportion of it blind to the necessity them committed? Is it "Billingsgate" to call them of cultivating other and more legitimate sources of = after the fashion of their acts? Professor Austin influence. They will now be thrown more upon says, that only Governments or demagogues can their own means; and their future importance will profit by the ignorance of the people. It is clearly mainly depend upon their personal behaviour in not the desire of the present Government that the public and private life. Should their conduct be demagogues should prosper; and the imputation of exemplary and virtuous, it will derive vast additionbase motives must, therefore, rest upon themselves, al lustre from their exalted rank and large possesso long as they shall continue to foster public igno- sions; should the magnates of the land, on the conrance. But no long time can elapse ere the mis- trary, neglect to cultivate these solid claims to dischievous power will be taken from their hands. tinction and respect, it is perfectly clear that their = Examiner. rank and their riches will only serve to render them more conspicuously contemptible. And when once a hereditary nobility becomes an object of contempt to the other classes of society, it is easy enough to bilation as a privileged body in the state. foretell the day which shall behold their utter anni

THE RATIONALE OF GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE

Is first, never to pay according to the work done, but in proportion to the rank of the recipient. Let him take, for example, the Pensions for military

-services-he will see that the lowest are double or treble the pay of a General Officer, and that the Pensioners are Peers. Take another step, and advance to Sinecurists-it will be found that the five noble and right honourable Do-Nothings of the Exchequer receive nearly treble the amount which is paid to their" deputies." Go on to the Heads of

[blocks in formation]

right nail on the head. John Bull is always to be caught by what appeals to his avarice. There will be in every town of the kingdom, a number of individuals whose interests are affected by the embargo. These individuals will be irritated against Ministers. We may trust to them for originating petitions condemning hostilities against Holland; and there will always be found a sufficient number of busy bodies to subscribe these petitions, merely to be doing something, and glad to be thought of importance. We may, at a critical conjuncture like the present, when Ministers have an election on their hands, assail them with such a storm of petitions as shall drive them from their places, and then the game is our own. We assure our readers that this is a literal transcript of what fell from a conservative of no mean estimation in his party. This is an exact counterpart of the conduct of the conservatives in the case of the Russian-Dutch loan. The conservatives attacked Ministers on account of the payment of the money to Russia; and a certain number of liberal-minded ultra-liberals fell into the snare. They never asked themselves how it happened why men like Goulburn and Croker were all of a sudden such enemies of waste and profusion. The first thing that opened their eyes was the answer to the question-Would you (the Tories) if in power, have refused to pay the money to Russia? The negative answer was decisive of the views of the Opposition. There can be no doubt that the Ministry of Earl Grey paid the money to Russia then, as they subject the nation now to the inconveniences of an embargo, that they may preserve the peace of Europe. Let the subscribers to resolutions beware how they encourage the King of Holland in his obstinacy. They will be guilty not only of the blood that may be shed now, but of all the consequences that may follow from a resistance which may gradually embroil all Europe. We repeat it, that Ministers are peace-makers, and that all who promote petitons in favour of the King of Holland, are partisans of war and bloodshed. Morning Chronicle.

THE TORIES THE AND DUTCH KING.

"O, my poor dear Emperor of Morocco!" blubbers Quidnunc in the farce-" O, my dear King of Holland!" cries the Tory-"Our ancient ally!" "Such a good old friend!”

A short time ago there was the same affecting lamentation for "the good old Turk." All this is perfectly understood. The Tory imposes on no one-What's Hecuba to him, or he to Hecuba? Any food for faction; or, as the polite proverb expresses it," Hungry dogs will eat dirty pudding." We abhor war, and detest intermeddling in Continental affairs; but we know full well that those evils would not have been avoided by a Tory Administration, and that the difference would simply have been this, that the power of England would have been engaged on the wrong instead of the right side. We cannot honestly affect to blame the Tories for their meetings to encourage the enemy; for had they retained office, taken part with Holland against Belgium, or pushed matters to a war with France, as they surely would have done, we frankly avow that our friends would have left no means unemployed of testifying to the people of France their sympathy with the just cause, and marking the distinction between the sentiment of the people of England and the abuse of its arms. We

therefore blame not the Tories for showing that their feelings do not go with the British flag, but we de blame them for encouraging a feeble power in hopeless resistance. A resistance without a pr pect of success, and only fraught with bloodshe is forbidden even by the laws of war; and wh soldiers may not practice without forfeiting the claim to quarter, civilians should not preach.

Much do we wish that there had been no mei dling, and no war; but, as we are come to the hat ful extremity, we trust there will be no delay a hesitation in performing the necessary operation Let the Dutch King be made at once to know his weakness, and awakened to modesty, and set doma in peace within his limits. In the days of bagr and silk stockings, little Q., a small dwarf of a hig Dutch spirit, was, with great nicety, beginning pick his way at the crossing to Whitehall, when he was espied by a Life Guardsman, who, taking him for a boy, whipped him up under his arm, carried him tidily over, and set him down unspotted. Q. instantly let fly a volley of abuse, of which he was perfect master, threatened the man with the wrath of the House of Lords (in which he held an offer,) and heaven knows what besides; upon which, the trooper coolly observed, "If you don't like it, my little man, I will take you back again, and no bar done." And, so saying, he whipped him up again, and set him back at the place whence he came So it should be with his High Mightiness of Holland After all his sputtering, and bouncing, and threaten ing with the despots of Europe, he should only be put quietly down on his own side of the crossing.Examiner.

POLICY OF PRUSSIA.

The line of policy adopted by the King of Prus sia, on which so much idle speculation has prevailed, is now clear. He has published a declaration in the State Gazette, dated the 10th of November, from which it appears that he will not co-operate in the coercive measures adopted by France and England to carry the treaty of 15th November into execution; that he withholds his consent to all such measures, and implies that he disapproves and laments them: but he at the same time shows no inclination to resist them, acknowledges by his silence the right of the two Powers so to proceed, and betrays not the slightest disposition to succour the King of Holland, or to encourage his estinacy in refusing to evacuate the citadel of Ant werp and to accede to the treaty of 1831. "B has," says this official paper, "resolved to place a corps of observation on the Maese," and he then de fines the object of such a movement to be-not any opposition to the measures of coercion which he laments--not the relief or support of the citadel of Antwerp-not even the protection of the King Holland from aggression, but to avert the eventu consequences which the intended military opera tions might have with respect to "the tranquillin of Germany and of his own dominions, and the neral peace." It is, therefore, with reason those of our contemporaries who have been mos forward in their gloomy prognostics of war, ner admit that Prussia has really no thirst for fighting and that even the forced evacuation of Antwerp b the Dutch is not incompatible with an abstinenc from general war. We may observe, in addition to the foregoing observations, that the remarks the Prussian State Gazette are not to be deemer

official. Indeed an official paper, speaking of the courts of London and Paris, finding the carrying of in affair of strict stipulation into effect "suitable to their interest," is altogether out of keeping. As to the refusal of assent in the first instance, the assertion may pass; but ultimately, we suspect, it might turn out to be too strong in one. As respects the corps of observation on the Maese, the point vill most likely be settled before it can assemblea point that is of the less importance, as the "evencual consequences which the intended military operations might have with respect to the tranquillity of Germany, of his (Prussian) Majesty's dominions, and to the general peace, will be altogether satisfacory. In one word, national jealousy, and the prulence of military preparation against all possible reults, may be deemed the sole ground for precauionary proceedings which only the more forcibly rove the general policy which governs the whole ffair. Besides, who has got money?-Globe.

WHAT TAXES SHOULD FIRST BE REPEALED.

The taxes which ought first to be repealed, are ot those which are paid by the upper classes but hose which are paid by the lower. The necessaries of life must be reduced in price before uxuries. Meat and drink are of more importance han armoral bearings and field-sports. Notwithtanding the reduction in the taxation of late years, ittle relief has been experienced. The repeal of he tax on soap, which yields about L.1,200,000 per innum, would be felt as a great boon. If the malt ax were repealed, every working man would have t in his power to drink daily a wholesome and nuritious beverage, and the consumption of ardent spirits, which is the great cause, among the lower classes, of misery and crime, would be much diminished. When these taxes are removed, the assessed taxes may be taken into consideration: but we will never advocate their removal, when the soap and malt taxes are continued in force. It is of more consequence that nineteen-twentieths of the population should have it in their power to preserve their health by cleanliness and a wholesome beverage, than that the twentieth should be enabled to indulge in horses and dogs, and loll in carriages, emblazoned with their armorial bearings. -Tait's Magazine.

(Great

shame.) There were between 700 and 800 clergymen
who had but half that income; while some he would
not at present go as high as the Bishops even the Dean
hear, and cries of "Shame, shame.") One great cause of this
of Durham had L.9000 a-year for doing nothing. (Hear,
crying evil was the system of pluralities, by which one clergy-
man got several livings, producing a large income, then went
to reside where he pleased, employing a curate or curates, at
miserable salaries, to do all the work. (Hear, hear.) He would
laboured in the vineyard should receive adequate wages, but
support an effectual reform of the Church, by which all who
those who did not work should receive no pay.
cheering, and cries of "That's the reform we want.") A
Church reform, to be effectual, must remove the Bishops from
the scene of that warfare they had so long carried on against
Bishops in the House of Lords had done more injury to the
the liberties of the people. He was confident the conduct of the
Church than the combined attacks of all its opponents, and he
should vote for their immediate retirement from Parliament.
(Immense applause.) He would vote for the repeal of all the
felt considerable objections to voting by ballot, and would greatly
assessed taxes and taxes on knowledge. (Hear, hear.) He
prefer open voting; but if it were found that such men as the
Duke of Newcastle and the Marquis of Exeter made the ballot
necessary for the protection of the electors, he would adopt it.
(Hear, hear.) The corn laws, he was fully aware, required im-
mediate revision, and he was prepared, not for their total repeal
at present, but for a small fixed duty.

ACCIDENTS AND OFFENCES. EXECUTION.-George Doffy, labourer, who was, at our last assizes, convicted of the murder of Helen Broadly, his wife, in his own house in Drygate, on the 14th of May last, was on Street, Glasgow. It is needless going into a detail of the atroWednesday executed in front of the jail, foot of Saltmarket cities with which this case was attended; but it will be recollected, from what came out in evidence, that the horrible manner in which the poor woman was deprived of life has never been equalled in the annals of crime; and we earnestly hope, for the sake of humanity, never will. It was proved that species, and as a closing scene to a long career of the most Doffy, with a callous-heartedness that makes one blush for their unmanly and barbarous treatment-placed his wife upon the fire, on the evening of the day referred to, where he held her till she was so shockingly roasted on the back, belly, and other parts of her person, that she died in the Royal Infirmary after ing sufferings. A few minutes after two o'clock, the magis lingering a few days, and after experiencing the most excruciattrates entered the Justiciary Hall, when Doffy (whose countenance was in every particular that of a murderer-for while it bespoke nothing but savage ferocity, his forehead was singularly flat, with a great protuberance towards the back part) made after tarrying for a moment or two, he ascended the scaffold his appearance, attended by three Catholic clergymen; and with a firm step, with his spiritual advisers; where, having knelt, and spent a few minutes in inaudible prayer, the rope was At a late meeting of the Electors of Southwark, the fol- situated, the world for ever closed upon the hardened murderer. adjusted the cap drawn over his face-and thus ignominiously owing speech was made by Mr. Brougham, and was loudly In accordance with the new act of Parliament, the body of the cheered:He said he perfectly agreed in the suggestion of malefactor was buried "within the precincts of the jail ;" and a he worthy gentleman, that he should declare his opinions tablet is to be erected opposite the felons' gallery, bearing the on the important questions which must come before the re- following announcement" Buried in the centre of this court, formed Parliament very speedily after its meeting, and in the George Doffy, hanged for the murder of Helen Broadly, his decision of which the whole people were greatly interested.-wife, on the 7th November, 1832. " The murderer was a native Hear, hear.) One of the first of these, and one of the most of Ennishoen, county of Donegal, Ireland, and was forty-two pressing necessity, was the present state of the Poor's Laws. years of age.-Glasgow Paper. This most important question, he had reason to believe, was at present occupying the most serious consideration of Government, and that a measure beneficial to all classes of the community would be proposed to Parliament very soon after it should meet. He would promise them that the subject should have his best consideration; and that every assistance of which he was capable should be given for the removal of the evils of the present system. Another most important measure that must soon be brought forward, and without which the Reform Bill would be quite imperfect, was a reform in the Church. (Great applause.) It is well known to them all, that the great body of the Clergy of the Establishment, who did all the work, received less wages than a gentleman paid his footman, while those who did no work received enormous incomes. (Great cheering.) There were in the Church of England 2999 clergymen who had in comes less than L.100 a-year. This was less, including board, wages, and livery, than was paid a footman. (Shame,

PROGRESS OF REFORM.

EXECUTION AT PERTH.John Chisholm, in pursuance of the sentence passed upon him, for the murder of his wife, at the late Circuit Court of Justiciary, was on Wednesday executed Greyfriars' Burying-Ground. At two o'clock, the magistrates, on a scaffold erected outside the wall of the jail, opposite the preceded by the town sergeants, ascended the platform, followed by the convict, who was attended by the Reverend Messrs. Esdaile, Kennedy, and Finlay. Before mounting the platform, Mr. Esdaile asked him whether he had any thing to communicate-to which he replied that he had nothing to add beyond what he had often repeated. He admitted he had many heavy sins to answer for, but solemnly asseverated, before God and man, his innocence of the crime for which he was about to suffer,that he never was actuated by feelings which could lead him to such an act, and that, besides, he never had reason nor motive to meditate harm upon his deceased wife. The awful scene was witnessed by an immense concourse

of spectators. The case of this individual excited more than ordinary interest, from the atrocious nature of the crime of which he was accused, especially when taken into view with the general respectability of his previous character, and attention to divine ordinances of which ample evidence was given on his trial by magistrates, clergymen, and other inhabitants. He was upwards of 72 years of age, and during a great portion of that period, and up to the time of his apprehension, had followed the mercantile profession, in comfortable circumstances and continued to enjoy the respect of the tradesmen and merchants of Perth, with many of whom he was well and long acquainted.

MELANCHOLY ACCIDENT.-On Saturday the 3d, while a number of boys were climbing on the rocks at Kinkell, two miles to the eastward of St. Andrews, one of them, the third son of Mr. Hart, corn merchant, a youth about twelve years of age, fell from the "Rock and the Spindle," and fractured his skull. DISTRESSING OCCURRENCE.-On Monday the 5th, two dead bodies were found lying on the summit of a hill a little to the south-east of Dunning. On inquiry, they were found to be a mendicant old woman of the name of Irvine, and her grandson, a fine boy about ten years of age, belonging, it is reported, to this city. These unfortunate individuals applied for lodging at a farm house on the hill side, on Saturday afternoon, during the prevalence of the storm which then raged, but were denied admittance, when they took their way to the next hamlet. Darkness closing in upon them, and their strength, it is presumed, having failed, they had endeavoured to find some shelter from the remains of an old dyke, at the "bield" side of which their bodies were found lying together. In the woman's pocket was found sevenpence, and a small quantity of tea and sugar in her

bosom.

in view, and but a short distance out of the reach of assistance from many anxious friends who lined the beach in dreadful pense. The sufferers were John Lace, (an old and weat beaten tar,) T. Corlett, John Kenyen, and Charles Crow-tr of them leaving large families. The gale still increasing, upan a lee-shore, the Manly was obliged to slip both anchors seek refuge elsewhere. She came ashore, about eleven o'c» on Monday, outside of Douglas pier-head, and was, with ga difficulty, got into port at night.

MELANCHOLY OCCURRENCE AT THE MEIKLE FERRY, SUTERLANDSHIRE.-On Saturday last, David Ross, hostler to t Crown and Anchor Hotel, Tain, was sent with a chaise to em vey some visitors from Skibo Castle. On arriving at the Ras shire side of the Ferry, about mid-day, it blew so hard that was deemed impossible to cross, until it got a little milder aber six o'clock at night. On coming to the usual landing plaze the opposite side, the surf was high, and the boat wo er to sail round the point, and run up a small bay or branch of the frith called Poulchourich. Here they got ashore, but the plum being of a soft muddy nature, the chaise stuck, and the str exertions of the party could not extricate it. After getting horses fed, and partaking of some refreshment at the ina by, they again proceeded to the chaise, and after considerate difficulty succeeded in getting on firm ground. In the eas time, Ross, the driver disappeared, but no one could tel w or where. Early in the morning he was found, quite dead, on the beach.

FIRE. We regret to learn, from an express just arrived, fr the fine mansion house at Avoch, Ross-shire, belonging t dowager Lady Mackenzie, and occupied by Col. Miclead of the East India Company's Service, was on Wednesday almost wh burned to the ground. The principal part of the furniture wa fortunately saved.

THE CONVICT STEWART. The result of the inquiris which we announced were in course of being made, in order to ascertain more satisfactorily the criminality or innocence of ma woman, have been communicated to the judges who presvied at her trial; and on their application his Majesty has hea pleased to grant her a farther respite for the period of fo weeks.-Perth Advertiser.

THE PICKPOCKETS.-The "Schoolmaster" in Fraser's Magasine, states that in foggy weather the pickpockets in Newgate may be heard to exclaim, "What a shame to lose such a fine day as this!" If this be true, the thieves in the prisons of the metropolis must have had a melancholy time of it yesterday (Friday.) To be cooped up in" dungeon vile" on a foggy day, and that, too, a Lord Mayor's Day, must surely have beed sufficient to make the rogues go hang. Those of the fraterni- On the 12th curt. at nine P.M., the sloop Unity, 62 tons, of ty, however, who are not within the clutches of the law, availed Berwick, Ramsay, from Wales to Newcastle with slates, wa themselves of the opportunity in a way surpassing in audacity drifted in a calm upon the Little Pentland Skerry, and bar be all that we have ever heard. They mustered in gangs of from come a complete wreck. In the morning the lightkeepers, u six to twenty, and went about their work as openly, and with serving the crew, four in number, upon the wreck, and every as little concern, as if they were employed in a lawful occupa- sea passing over them, immediately hoisted their signal of de tion. One of their victims was a French gentleman, who was tress for the attending boat. After having been 12 hours upc passing along the Poultry, and who found himself suddenly the wreck, they were happily relieved by a boat from the Islan hemmed in by a party of six or seven respectably dressed of Stroma, and lodged in the lighthouse on the Great Pen tiem young fellows, who plundered him of his watch, chain, and Skerry, from whence they will get a passage south in the lightseals, worth 70 guineas. This robbery was witnessed by hun-house tender along with a squad of artificers. dreds of persons, not one of whom attempted to interfere. The Frenchman turned down Cheapside afterwards, and was again attacked by another gang of thieves near the end of Newgate street.-Monsieur, who had then nothing to lose, seemed highly amused at the last attack upon him, evidently finding consolation for the loss of his watch in the disappointment of the unuccessful larrons. An attempt was made at the corner of King-street to rob a stout elderly gentleman, by pinioning his arms; but he escaped by giving his assailant a kick, which made him roar out with pain. We heard of not fewer than eight robberies in a space of fifteen minutes. In Aldersgate-street a thief suddenly snatched a muff from a lady who was sitting in a window, and bore it off in triumph.

We would put the public on their guard respecting a forger of one-pound notes on the Greenock bank, which has recent appeared here. The style of engraving and design of the gemine note have been so dexterously copied, and the signatures well imitated, that the forgeries can scarcely be detected, but by the inferiority of the paper, which has a slight reddish til From the unsoiled appearance of the forged notes, it is suspects: that some party is now putting them into circulation hereAberdeen Herald.

SERIOUS ACCIDENT.-On Sunday afternoon, the sloop Ma garet of Perth, in warping out from the pier to go down the river, went adrift, owing to the breaking of the line; and ke rudder coming violently in contact with one of the pants in deepening the river, the tiller struck the captain over bran when he fell head foremost on the punt, and was several injuru.

On the 31st ult., Peter Goar, Esq. surgeon, Island of Sa day, perished at sea, under the following distressing circunst> ces. Having crossed from Sanday, to an adjacent island, in a tendance on a patient, he was on his return home, when Li boat went down near by, and in sight of his own and his fathe house. His loss is much regretted in Sanday, where he b just commenced the practice of his profession, with the flattering promises of success.

On Saturday evening the 3d, the Manly, Captain Bidzlie, of Aberdeen, last from Dantzic, grain laden for Mr. Boscow, of Ramsay, came to anchor in that bay, all well. Sunday morning a fresh breeze sprung up from the northward, which in the evening very much increased, accompanied by heavy showers of hailstone and vivid flashes of lightning. The crew being, to all appearances, unacquainted with the harbour, and the vessel "riding heavy" in the bay, on Monday morning several individuals, anxious for the safety of the vessel, after several failures, succeeded in launching their boat over the angry element, and to the number of six individuals, proceeded alongside the brig, where they, with the greatest difficulty, left a pilot. At this time, observing a schooner close by in distress, they exerted themselves, and through perseverance also supplied her with a pilot. The ill-fated men had now to encounter the most imminent danger, in their return to the shore, through the heavy breakers which lashed the strand, the boat being only weakly manned; they pulled for the land, which they had nearly succeeded the gauge; the impression is the early one of Geor in reaching, when, alas! an unlucky sea struck the frail little IV. but the head is much more full than in the E bark and capsized her-whereby the unfortunate crew perished, | impression.

COUNTERFEIT SOVEREIGNS.-The public should be their guard against a new species of counterfeit, difficult of detection perhaps than any former one contains a considerable portion of gold, is of full weig and differs but slightly in sound from the genuine it has, however, a silvery hue, and will not pass threa

PROVISION MARKETS.

EDINBURGH, Nov. 22.-Best oatmeal, 1s 8d; second ditto, 1s 6d; barley meal, 1s 6d; peasemeal, 1s 6d per stone of 14 imperial lbs. Beef, 3d to 6d; mutton, 34d to 6d; veal, 6d to 10d; pork, 4d to 6d per lb. Lamb, 1s 6d to 2s 6d per quarter. Tallow, 36s to 38s per cwt. Hides, 6s. to 6s 6d per stone. Calf skins, 5d to 7d per lb. Sheep skins, 2s to 4s. Lamb skins, 2s to 4s. Quartern Loaf, 8d. Potatoes, 4d per peck. Fresh butter, 11d to 1s 1d; salt do., 9d to 10d per lb.; new ditto, 80s to 84s per cwt. Dunlop cheese, 46s to 50s. Eggs, 1s 2d dozen.

per GLASGOW.-BAZAAR, Nov. 22.-The sale of cheese in market to-day was pretty brisk; about 950 stone in market. Ordinary qualities from 8s 4d to 88 6d, and best from 8s 9d to 9s astone; best quality of single cheese, 9 31 to 9s 6d a-stone The supply of fresh butter was small, (58 stone) and sold generally at lld per lb. Little salt butter appeared. Eggs sold at from 9d to Is; and picked ones, 13d a-dozen. Hens, from 3s to 4s; chickens, Is 3d to 2s 6d; ducks, 2s to 2s 6d; and pigeons, 8d to 10d a-couple.

MANCHESTER, Nov. 90.-Best flour per sack of 280 lbs. 44s to 488; do. by retail, 1s 8d, Is 10d, 2s, 2s 4d, and upwards to 2s 10d per 12 lb. Oatmeal, per load of 240 lbs., from 22s to 26s; by retail, 1s 2d to 1s 6d per 10 lb. Bread, 1d to 2d per lb. Potatoes, per load of 252 lbs. 4s to 5s 6d; do. by retail, 5d to 6d per 20 lbs. Beef, 5d to 7d; mutton, 6d to 7d; pork, 5d to 7d per lb. Best sweet butter, 1s 4d; good country butter, salted, is to 1s 2d; fresh do. 7d to 10d. Wages for all kinds of labour very low. The above may be assumed as the Liverpool and Leeds prices.

We understand, that owing to the interference of the Magistrates, the bakers of Stirling have now reduced the price of the quartern loaf another penny; the fine being at length 9d and the second 7d. The Magistrates are certainly entitled to

credit for this meritorious act.

In Paris bread is now cheaper than it has been known for many years.

MARKETS AND FAIRS.
HALLOW FAIR.

The fair commenced on Monday the 12th, in two fields on the farm of Dean, situated about a mile to the north-west of this city, on the line of the great North Road. The show of stock on this occasion was much below that of last year, there being only about 10,000 head of cattle on the ground on Tuesday morning, at which time operations in the shape of business only begin, the preceding day being chiefly occupied in collecting and bringing the cattle to the place of rendezvous. Business began on Tuesday in a rather lagging style, from the holders taking high ground, and demanding long prices. Towards noon, however, sales became very numerous, and by the evening a great proportion of the stock had exchanged owners at prices fully 20 per cent above those obtained at last Falkirk Tryst, the better description of beasts bringing about L.2 a-head of advance upon the Falkirk and Doune prices.

Doune prices. The principal part of the supply consisted of lean stock. Two-year-old Highland stots sold from L.4, 10% to L7, 7s. Three-year-old do. L.7 to L.11. Two-year-old Highland queys, from L.3, 10s to L.5, 10s, quality inferior. There was but a poor supply of fat cattle in the market, prices from 5s to 7s per imperial stone.

Sheep have also been on the rise. At the October Spittal of Glenshee Fair, held at Perth, the whole stock was cleared off at an early hour. Prime black-faced wedders sold at from 20s to 21s, and inferior down as low as 14s. Prime ewes were bringing from 7s 6d to 12s.

The Grain Markets have been looking down all the month, but no permanent depression is calculated upon.

The Muir of Ord Cattle Tryst was held on Wednesday and Thursday, 14th and 15th November. The number of stock shown might be about 400 head, including several which were brought for the purpose of putting them to winter; the following were the prices given for the respective lots, &c. :-1 lot of stots, three-year-olds, fetched the highest price on the Muir, namely L.8, 9s. ; I lot do. L.7, 78; 1 lot do., L.6, 2s. 6d; 1 lot two-year-olds, real Highlanders, fetched the high price of L.6, 12s. 6d. Two-year-olds were selling on average from L.4, 10s. to L.4, 12; year-olds were selling from L.1, 7s. to L.2, 5s.

HORSE FAIRS.

At Paisley Martinmas Fair, the best draught horses in the market were offered for L.35, At Hallow Fair, good draught horses brought good prices, but inferior animals were in little demand.

At the Newcastle Cow Hill Fair, the first-rate horses brought for sale were few in number, and were disposed of before the regular fair commenced. There were a great many of an inferior description; such as were useful brought pretty good prices.

THE FRANKFORT FAIR.-By the Flanders mail, we have, amongst other commercial intelligence, an account of the Frankfort Michaelmas or autumnal fair, and are happy to perceive that British manufactured goods continue to keep the lead, as, of all foreign productions of industry, Germany consumes the largest quantity of our manufactures, although the competition of the native manufacturers, aided by the import duties, may, for the present moment, somewhat narrow the number and amount of sales effected.

HERRING FISHERY-BANFF.-In our last report, we stated that the produce of the herring fishing in the Murray Frith this year, fell considerably short of the two preceding years, and the curers were, in consequence, speculating upon very high prices. These expectations are, however, not likely to be realized; and although the supply of herrings be short, it appears to be fully This may, however, be accounted for equal to the demand. by the prevalence of cholera in Ireland, in consequence of which the priests have allowed the people to dispense with fish on fast days.

TRADE AND MANUFACTURES. Trade has improved, though we cannot yet report much improvement in the state of the workinen, save in one or two tem

DOUNE MARKET. -The show of cattle and sheep was much = less than that of last season, the sale proportionably brisk,porary branches of manufacture. and the prices considerably higher than those at the last Falkirk Tryst. -On Tuesday, wedders were sold at L.17 to L.21, and ewes from LS to 11 per clad score, being from 23. to 3s. 6d. a-head above the prices of last season, and from 2s. 6d. to 4s. 6d. higher than the average price at Falkirk in October.

+

DENNY.-At Denny fair, which was held on Wednesday the 14th current, milch cows of every description were about 15 per cent higher than last season. Good farrow cows sold for about L.6; and a few cows, lately calved, brought from L. 10 to L.11. For fat cattle the sale was rather dull; good beef, stots and queys, about 5s. per stone of 16 imperial pounds, sinking offals. Oatmeal in this district is selling from 29s. to 29s. per load, retail 11d per peck of 83 imperial pounds. Potatoes, of excellent quality at 5s per old boll.

Cattle have considerably improved in price, owing to the plentiful supply of fodder, aud the favourable state of the turnip crops. At Doune Fair, cattle, were 20s a-head higher than last year. At Old Biggar Fair, cattle, of the true Ayrshire breed, sold readily at an advance of full 30 per cent over last year's prices. At Hallow Fair, held at Edinburgh on the 18th and 14th November, there was a brisk sale. The quantity of cattle in the market was at least a fourth less than last year. During the first day all the best lots changed hands at least 30 per cent above last year's market, and 20 per cent above prices obtained at last Falkirk Tryst, the better description of cattle bringing an advance of about L.2 per head on the Falkirk and

MANCHESTER, Nov. 15.-Our woollen manufactures are thriving, and silks find a market with more facility than formerly. Indeed this trade thrives in spite of us, and it is wonderful the continued squabbles of masters and men does not drive it into more prudent hands than it at present is placed in. Fustians are also in demand, and so are coarse cotton goods, but prices low. The Americans have come into the market this season early for spring goods, and although they are not pressing for the immediate execution of their orders, the spirit they are showing augurs a good trade with that country.

The conduct of the gagged Dutchman has for the present put a stop to our trade to Antwerp, which was an entrepot for our goods to almost the whole of Germany, the duties being only one half per cent ad valorem,-they mus now, however, find their way via Hamburgh, but this is now a new route, and not so good as the old tract, and will cause the breaking up of old, and settling new establishments, which is always expensive and unpleasant.

STATE OF TRADE.-We cannot note much alteration in the state of trade, this week. We may observe, however, that the same activity still prevails among our spinners and manufacturers, and the same eagerness to purchase is still visible amongst our merchants. The woollen trade is certainly a shade better, and rather more business has been done in it lately. Low stout broad cloths, about Ss. per yard, are a little advanced in price, and the demand is increasing. The stuff trade is very brisk, and the prices for six quarters wide merinos and other fine light

« AnteriorContinuar »